More than a year elapsed since we wrote the first review about the DIALux EVO. DIAL launched the new, updated version of the DIALux: the EVO 2. So we gonna have a second (and quick) look of it to see what happened in Lüdenscheid.

The official change log of the new EVO version:

dwg export

false colors

advanced navigation

settings for standard - improvement of the dialog several bugfixes performance optimization

Let start with the FC rendering. The false colour rendering got a really professional look. Congratulation for the developers. However one time saving option is still missing: interpolate. It would be nice to have a linear and logarithmical interpolation option too.
The new false colour overlay is available with the F9 shortcut what is really handy.

The look of the FC is not yet consequent:

When you want to move an object in the space you can select axis (X,Y,Z) to move the object only in the selected axis. 3DS MAX users are familiar with this. This is a very helpful option.

Navigation in the space also got easier. There are modifications in the UI improving the usability of the software.

Display options are nicely organised:

High number of options does work only in special circumstances (eg: isolines, light distribution curves in 3D view, etc.) what is a bit annoying.

The DWG import is still seriously buggy. Many files displayed incorrectly and the previews are not available (this last one is an acceptable loss).

This is the original drawing in AutoCAD:

This is what you get:

Ooops! One step further and Dialux got a black hole. It sucked my lines in:

We have the option to embed the external drawing into the project file. This can be helpful when we have to share the file with other companies:

It`s been never so easy as now to move the base point of the DWG layers:

The manufacturer module has been changed slightly but we are still unable to download the plugin from the software itself. Dialux will only open the internet browser at the download location.

The material library is nicely presented:

There is no change in the furniture library. A refresh would be timely.

Many bugs been patched but still we run into error messages, crashes so often that is not just annoying but makes us think that this is still in beta stage.

Performance-wise we don`t feel any significant improvements. We did run the same test calculations as we did last year. :( The list of +Pros is longer but there are no changes on the -Con list since we reviewed the beta version.
The EVO branch is still far from overtaking the Dx4 branch.

We haven’t find a comprehensive, list of the Dialux EVO shortcut keys, so here it is.
If something missing, please comment below.